The 2023 version of Young’s Winter Warmer is released on 27th October with a launch at two Young’s pubs, Leadenhall in the City of London and Richmond. It will presumably be available in Young’s somewhat reduced pub estate.
Where it is brewed remains remarkably difficult to establish, beyond it not of course being its original home of Wandsworth. When Youngs ceased brewing, it moved to Bedford and was brewed by Charles Wells who in turn were swallowed up by what is now Marstons-Carlsberg. They sold the brewery and Youngs now seems to be brewed at Ringwood which MC have also put up for sale.
Winter Warmer has at least survived another year and it is a great London tradition albeit as Young’s note in the 2023 publicity one they invented in 1971.
The beer style itself is much older and I remember drinking Winter Warmer on gravity from a wooden cask on the bar at the Spreadeagle in Camden Town in the 1970s. In those long ago times the idea that the beer might be cooled was not a feature,and no doubt it wasnt always in the best condition.
However at 5% Winter Warmer was the second strongest beer then regularly available in London (the strongest was Fullers ESB at 5.5%-invented 1955 btw) and so one didn’t complain.
Will the 2023 Winter Warmer stand up to earlier versions? Once I track it down I’ll update this post
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